iPhone ~ browsing, what's it like?

[The Stig]

So I kinda want to get an iPhone...

What's browsing BG (and other forums usually) like? I don't need to really access any other sites*, and I know Youtube is good on the iPhone, but I was worried about having to scroll horizontally lots... is that an issue?

* I will access other sites but it won't be for extended periods of time, so I don't care about those.

[octopus]

Browsing BG is like using a regular browser - nothing different really. I always use the horizontal view though. You don't need to scroll horizontally that way.

If you double tap the right column (the content/msgs), it will zoom in so that the column will fit just right.

Edit - you can always go to an Apple store and try it out!

[Xenega]

I have the Touch, and I go to BG all the time from it when I don't feel like turning my computer on, it works really great. The picture quality is way above any other phone type Internet viewing I've ever seen. I personally love it.

[The Stig]

Browsing BG is like using a regular browser - nothing different really. I always use the horizontal view though. You don't need to scroll horizontally that way.

If you double tap the right column (the content/msgs), it will zoom in so that the column will fit just right.

Edit - you can always go to an Apple store and try it out!

Thanks for the info. Yeh if I get time/day off I'll do it, but they changed my shift at work from 7:45am to 5:30pm lol, so I need to wait >_<.

[Katlan]

It's like the above posters said. I'd recommend just going into an Apple store and playing around w/one for a little bit. Those Iphone's are prolly on the store's Wifi so will be faster then the 3G network, but you can easily get an idea of how it works. I like it, makes browsing stuff very easy. Sometimes it glitches a little w/the push responsiveness, and some pages take much longer to load then they should (I don't think it stores picture cache like it should)

[Epical]

Just building off what the other posters said... it's just like browsing on your PC but on a smaller screen. Loading times are quick and it handles large images quite well. Color and clarity are top-notch.

I'm still on FW1.1.3 and there's a glitch in it where sometimes the browser randomly crashes if a page you're loading has X (I don't know what it is), so that gets annoying and happens semi-often since BG requires changing pages so much. However, people shouldn't be on FW1.1.3 anymore, especially if you're going to buy a new one, so disregard this.

[The Stig]

Gotcha. I'll see if anyone at work has got one and I'll see if I can leave work early one day to go to the Apple Shop. But yeh, due to my hours change I seem to be more away from home/FFXI so I need some form of entertainment "on the move".

Work is a bit weird at the moment. I'm not gonna try to browse forums just yet incase people get upset, I got moved into a weird office configuration and I'm sure everyone can see each other's monitors (the 2-3 lucky ones don't have this problem).

[Katlan]

If you depend on your phone 24/7 for work related stuff... then you might want to wait on the Iphone 3G. Patch 2.1 fixed a lot of connectivity/reception issues... I haven't had any problems since... but previously I would get tons of dropped calls and sometimes for up to 10 minutes of being unable to make out calls. And reception kinda sucked & would take anywhere from 2-5 minutes to pick up a signal when you reached an "out of service" area.

But like i said, patch 2.1 fixed it. I haven't experienced the same types of issues, but it's too soon to say if they are really gone. So if you depend on your phone extensively for work, then might not want to jump on the Iphone immediately

[Izzy]

I make posts and do other LS administrative shit while I'm on the train/walking home on my iPhone. I seriously love this thing. The only downside is the data sometimes gets really fucking slow if you're inside a huge office building.

[fren.]

Forums are usually the only thing I visit and it's excellent. Websites such as ESPN/CNN have an uncomfortable format. If you get it, just realize you probably won't look at another phone the same way.

I cringe everytime I use my brother's Curve.

[Katlan]

Yeah but websites such as ESPN, ect... all have Mobile webpages and/or free to DL app's that take you to a minimally graphic-intensive page

[Maguspk]

Don't get the iphone wait and get the HTC Dream

[Elesirdur]

The ability to tap into local WiFi networks really helps improve a) the speed of browsing, and b) reduce the cost of your phone bill's data charges. My girlfriend has one and she really likes it a lot, although she's really quite pissed that the iPhone's Safari is unable to log onto her University's webmail account. At least here in Canada on Rogers, the inability to set up any kind of ISP email account is annoying as you're stuck using Gmail/Ymail/Apple Mail (although you can just set up forwarding, but it's annoying not to be able to send from an ISP's email acct). Otherwise browsing is fine but I wish Safari had tabs.

The only downside she has with the iPhone is that it's a rather fragile device and it's also very expensive - kind of a paranoia factor. Some form of a case is probably a good idea to protect the touch screen when it's in your bag, pants, jacket etc. because it can scratch pretty easily.

Oh, and something else that's coming out with 3G phones, at least on Rogers: free local calling when your 3G phone is connected to a VoIP router at your home. So you basically get a land line through your cell without the day/nigh restrictions of minutes.

[Izzy]

The ability to tap into local WiFi networks really helps improve a) the speed of browsing, and b) reduce the cost of your phone bill's data charges.

If you have ATT, you're forced to get an iPhone plan which automatically includes unlimited data. The only time you would have to pay for data would be if you were to connect your iPhone to another carrier, or cancel your iPhone plan after you've gotten it, and sign up for a normal plan with ATT.

[octopus]

At least here in Canada on Rogers

Yeah, I've read about the horror stories about Rogers data rates. Makes AT&T seem like a real bargain ;o

[ZarakiKujata]

Otherwise browsing is fine but I wish Safari had tabs.

You can switch between numerous browser screens w/ the iPhone Safari browser so I'd say it has tabs ;x

Also you should be able to setup the university webmail acct thru IMAP or POP? same with the ISP email? I know I setup my mom's iphone to receive her university webmail emails that way, and she hasnt complained about stuff not working.

[Elesirdur]

You can switch between numerous browser screens w/ the iPhone Safari browser so I'd say it has tabs ;x

Also you should be able to setup the university webmail acct thru IMAP or POP? same with the ISP email? I know I setup my mom's iphone to receive her university webmail emails that way, and she hasnt complained about stuff not working.

Oh that's cool, I wasn't aware of that feature. Since it's her phone I have not spent a lot of time with it, but I will have to look around next time I get to play with it.

[The Stig]

I like the feedback. I really will start looking into it. Thanks all. Gonna sleep now lol, gotta get up for 5am! XD